One More Try

Title: One More Try

Author: Jedi Buttercup

Disclaimer: The words are mine; the worlds are not.

Rating: PG

Summary: Eli meets someone new. 200 words.

Spoilers: B:tVS post-Chosen; Eli Stone 1.3 "Father Figure".

Prompt: For challenge #73 "favorite things" at tthdrabbles.

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"So you're the prophet," the teenager greeted him skeptically, eyeing his suit and briefcase. "You look more like a lawyer. Favorite outfit or something?"

"Or something," Eli replied, with a crooked smile. "I used to *be* a lawyer, actually. And you would be-- Miss Summers?" Dr. Chen had told him The Slayer was *young*, but this was ridiculous. She looked like she belonged in high school, not involved with whatever it was Eli's visions had dragged him into now.

She smirked at him, a disconcertingly wicked expression for someone with such large, innocent-looking blue eyes. "Yep, but not the one you're looking for," she said, and then yelled back into the apartment. "BUFFY! HE'S HERE!"

His relief at the answer died almost before he had a chance to feel it, cut off by that ridiculous name-- and the blonde, fashionably dressed twenty-something who appeared at her sister's call. But then he looked into her eyes, and his incredulity fell away.

His heart clenched. He didn't know how-- or even how he knew-- but this was someone who *understood*. Great gifts came with great costs, and this young woman--

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Eli said, and meant every word.

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